It may seem hard to improve on a freshman year highlighted by a 46-0 record and state championship.
Cuba City/Southwestern wrestler Jarod Donar looks to break that conception this season in his sophomore campaign.
"Jarod is starting to mature quite a bit," CC/SW coach Bob Hahn said. "He's really starting to fill out. I look at old pictures and wonder who that scrawny kid was."
That scrawny kid has become quite the grappler. As just a freshman, Donar dominated and won the Wisconsin Division 2 state title at 119 pounds last season. He'll be starting at 130 this season.
The key is to not let the early success get to his head.
"His dad puts him in quality tournaments in the offseason, and he gets humbled there," Hahn said. "He keeps driving and works hard, though. He's a pretty level-headed kid."
Donar's not the only talent Hahn has at his disposal this season. Three other wrestlers who won 30-plus matches last season return: juniors Tyler Jenamann (112), Bob Donar (119) and Dillon Schmieder (135).
"We have some kids that can win matches,"
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Senior Josh Eastlick looks to push toward a state title at 171 this season for Belmont/Platteville, coming off a fifth-place finish at 160 in the D2 state tournament.
Sophomore Dusty Jentz placed sixth at state last season at 171, but has moved down to 160 this year to provide Belmont/Platteville with two determined and proud co-captains.
"We have promising expectations for our returning starters," coach Craig Donar said. "And great leadership coming from two hard-working co-captains."
Eastlick and Jentz will provide leadership for a young squad that includes juniors Chad Allen (152) and Damien Dufek (189) and sophomores Adam Niehaus (112) and David Stoney (215).
"We have some gaps in our lineup and inexperienced newcomers," Donar said.
Experience in the upper weight classes looks to lead the Flying Arrows of Lancaster this season. Five seniors between 135 and 215 pounds -- including returning D3 state qualifier Scott Synder at 152 -- head the squad.
"Youth and inexperience in the beginning of the lineup is a concern," said coach Brad Sturmer, who is entering his fourth season with the Arrows. "We have strength and experience in our higher weights."
Freshman Trea Mezera looks to make an impact at 140 for the Arrows.
Bryant Edge returns at 215 for Iowa-Grant after placing third in D2 last season. He is just one of many Panthers with high expectations.
"Our biggest strength will be conditioning," said new Panthers coach Zach Chambers, a former Mineral Point and University of Wisconsin-Platteville star. "We have been pushing the kids pretty hard this year so that a match will be easy for them going at 100 percent.
"We have some tough kids with some high goals, so it should be a good season."
